CenterIMT has a dynamic, aggressive, and very unique program
focusing on optimal recovery for people suffering from Facial Paralysis.
You are encouraged to explore further.
The GOAL of the CenterIMT Facial Rehabilitation Program: To restore health, hope and optimal function to all children and adults diagnosed with facial paralysis and facial pain related to Bells palsy, Ramsay Hunt syndrome, trigeminal neuralgia, acoustic neuroma, pregnancy related facial paralysis, Lyme disease, neurofibromatosis, Gullian-Barre syndrome, surgery, diabetes, Mobius syndrome and more.
Our CenterIMT MISSION is two-fold:
PHILOSOPHY:
The CenterIMT facial rehabilitation team strongly believes all clients diagnosed with facial paralysis and facial pain have the potential for recovery, past the traditional predictors of outcomes. We believe there is no one single answer for facial paralysis and facial pain, however, with a wholistic approach, we know recovery is possible beyond normal predictors of outcomes. It is imperative that the client participate in goal setting, an aggressive home program, functional rehabilitation, and a nutritional wellness program. Our team is committed to providing ongoing support to clients and their families throughout their recovery process. We are dedicated to further advancement of techniques through ongoing clinical research.
This program combines weekly Integrative Manual Therapy facial muscle treatments with an intense home program including facial muscle retraining and use of a facial muscle stimulator. Patients become empowered as they see symmetry and movement return. This comprehensive approach addresses all aspects of residual facial paralysis including facial weakness, asymmetry, facial spasm, synkinesis, face and head pain, swelling, blink dysfunctions, tearing, eye dryness, taste dysfunction and problems with the inner ear.
Who can be helped by the CenterIMT Facial Rehabilitation Program?
The CenterIMT Facial Rehabilitation Program can help all patients with facial paralysis, facial palsy, facial pain (trigeminal neuralgia), facial parasthesia and facial swelling. Each patient’s success in achieving full facial muscle symmetry and function can vary according to pre-existing health problems, how much therapy a patient receives, and how much time is dedicated to a home therapy program.
Some patients begin their recovery program with 15% facial function and improve to 70% recovery. Some patients begin their recovery program with 75% recovery and achieve 100% recovery. Other patients begin their program with severe facial pain and eliminate that pain altogether. This recovery program is the perfect tool for people who notice parts of their face that did not completely recover (tightness around the eye, lip problems, eyebrow stasis) though others may not notice.
Integrative Manual Therapy for facial palsy improves the health of the face, eyes and head regardless of how long ago an infection, injury, or surgery affected the face. The CenterIMT Facial Rehabilitation Program improves facial symmetry and function immediately following Bells palsy and 15 years post Bells palsy or even 15 years after a traumatic facial nerve injury.
This is the most common form of acute paralysis of the seventh (facial) cranial nerve affecting 23 of 100,000 people at any time. The exact cause of Bells palsy is not known. Swelling and compression of the facial nerve may be contributing factors to this condition. Recent research suggests that Bells palsy may be the result of a Herpes simplex virus (HSV) outbreak. HSV is the same virus that can express itself as cold sores on the lips. Treatment with corticosteroids (prednisone) and antiviral therapy (e.g. acyclovir, valtrex) during the first 72 hours may improve the speed and quality of facial recovery. Up to 80% of people experience spontaneous recovery that is close to complete or complete. Some people suffer from complete paralysis of one side of the face including the inability to blink while others suffer from partial paralysis. Complete recovery from partial paralysis is likely within a few months. Recovery varies more for those with complete paralysis so an aggressive treatment approach is important.
Treatment of Bells Palsy
Bells palsy occurrences during third trimester pregnancy are not uncommon. This may be due to swelling that can cause compression on the facial nerve as it exits the skull or elsewhere. This also may be due to the fact that when demands on the body are extreme (as in the third trimester of pregnancy) the mother’s immune system may be compromised and less able to tolerate swelling, stress and/or viral exposure.
Treatment for Pregnancy Related Bells Palsy
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is a herpes zoster virus infection of the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve. Put simply, this is a reactivation of a dormant chickenpox virus (this virus can also be expressed as shingles) that spreads to the facial nerve. Typical symptoms include pain in or behind the ear, facial paralysis or weakness, and a rash (looks like fluid filled sacs) in or around the ear. This rash may also be found on the face, neck, shoulders, tongue, buccal mucosa, palate, uvula, and larynx. Other symptoms include tinnitus (ringing in the ear), hearing loss, vertigo, and any of the Common Problems Associated With Facial nerve Dysfunction and Paralysis. Treatment for Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
An acoustic neuroma is a non-cancerous tumor that slowly grows on the eighth (vestibulocochlear) cranial nerve. This overproduction of Schwann cells can grow to press against the hearing and balance nerves and cause hearing loss, ringing, dizziness and balance problems. Acoustic neuromas may also press on the nerves controlling face sensation (trigeminal nerve) and face movement (facial nerve) resulting in facial numbness, weakness, or paralysis.
Treatment options include monitoring the neuroma, radiation, and surgery. Typically, acoustic neuromas are surgically removed to avoid further growth and increased pressure on vital brain structures. Acoustic neuromas can grow on to the facial nerve and surgical removal of the tumor may require removal of a segment of the facial nerve. Even if the facial nerve was not removed or touched during removal of an acoustic neuroma, inflammation in the area can cause facial nerve dysfunction including temporary or permanent facial paralysis. Treatment for facial paralysis associated with acoustic neuroma.
Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF-2) is an inherited disorder where noncancerous tumors grow on various nerves throughout the body. This can include tumors in the head and on the hearing nerve. These tumors can grow to press against the hearing, balance and facial nerves causing hearing loss, ringing, dizziness, balance problems, facial numbness, facial weakness, or facial paralysis. Treatment for Facial Paralysis Associated with Neurofibromatosis
Traumatic Injury Induced Facial Paralysis
The facial nerve travels a complex course from the brainstem through the temporal bone and out of the bottom of the skull to the muscles of the face. A fractured temporal bone or infection in the middle ear can affect any of the many branches off the facial nerve throughout its course. Traumas such as a blow to the head, automobile accident, fall, concussion and even forceps delivery can cause facial nerve symptoms including but not limited to facial muscle weakness or paralysis. Treatment for traumatic injury induced facial paralysis.
Other possible causes of facial paralysis include Lyme disease, mastoiditis, encephalitis, Gullian-Barre Syndrome, Mobius syndrome and Diabetes mellitus.
For treatment options for all items listed above click here.
Each evaluation also includes the use of Integrative Diagnostics™ specific for facial paralysis. These are hands-on evaluative and treatment tools for the face, head, eyes, and neck that are unique to the certified Integrative Manual Therapist (IMTC). Some of these tools include:
The results of each comprehensive evaluation identify specific sites of physical dysfunction related to the patient’s facial paralysis. These areas of dysfunction are then correlated to the individual’s symptoms and treatment priorities are established in consultation with the patient. Each patient sets their own goals for facial rehabilitation while the practitioner directs the treatment program to most efficiently meet those goals. CenterIMT facial rehabilitation therapists set diagnostic-directed goals to alleviate the Common Problems Associated With Facial Paralysis and Facial Nerve Dysfunction noted above. The following are various patient-directed goals that IMT has helped achieve.
Patient education is an ongoing process in recovery from facial paralysis. It is critical that patients understand their goals and the plan of action necessary to meet those goals. Each individual has their own unique barriers to recovering from facial paralysis and sometimes the reasons for a particular treatment focus may not be obvious to the patient. For example, a patient may have the primary goal of smiling. This patient may also have a moderate amount of swelling in the face, neck, and/or thoracic inlet. Furthermore, Integrative Diagnostics™ may have revealed that this patient’s swelling was a primary problem. In this case, the therapist would help the patient understand that by first focusing treatment on the reduction of swelling, the face tissues will be less swollen and have a more optimal environment for healing and ultimately smiling.
Treatment for Facial Paralysis at CenterIMT Facial Rehabiliation Clinics is composed of three primary tools.
Facial paralysis is a problem involving multiple systems of the body. Therefore, IMT for facial rehabilitation uses the Integrated Systems Approach™ to address:
All of these systems and more affect one’s recovery from facial paralysis. Integrative Manual Therapy™ addresses each involved system and its relationship to the whole to achieve optimal healing and recovery from facial paralysis.
Integrative Manual Therapy™(IMT) Techniques
All of the above systems are addressed using hundreds of proprietary hands-on IMT techniques. These techniques affect specific structures (e.g. the facial nerve, obicularis oculi muscle, or zygoma bone). They facilitate healing on a cellular level and encourage tissue repair. IMT techniques are administered during weekly treatment sessions by a physical or occupational therapist who is also a certified Integrative Manual Therapist (I.M.T.C.). Patients receive one-on-one hands-on attention. This work is highly specialized and impossible to administer in a group or parallel-therapy setting.
Neuromuscular Re-education
Neuromuscular re-education is customized for each patient’s specific needs. Some patients need increased bulking and improved tone of facial muscle. Others require neuromuscular retraining to change synkinesis or involuntary facial muscle contractions. Many patients require both bulking in parts of their face and an inhibition of tightness or contraction in other parts of their face. Neuromuscular re-education is provided during therapy sessions and is an integral part of each patient’s home program.
Most IMT techniques must be administered by highly trained hands. However, there are many IMT hands-on techniques that can be administered at home by the patient to further healing. This homework is an integral part of each patient’s home program for recovery from facial paralysis. Patients who are dedicated to their IMT “homework” achieve faster and more comprehensive results. This is clinically proven again and again.
Each patient’s home program is customized to meet their needs though typical home programs will include exercises and IMT techniques such as…
Neurofascial Process (NFP) is a hands-on technique that stimulates the body’s innate ability to be self-corrective. It directly affects specific tissues using reflexes that naturally occur in each persons’ body. When used at home, NFP has proven to decrease facial edema, pain, muscle spasm, soft tissue restrictions and more. The detailed nature of this technique can be found in the book Body Wisdom© (Weiselfish-Giammatteo 2002).
IMT Neuromuscular Re-education: Unique functional exercises developed by Sharon Weiselfish Giammatteo, Ph.D., P.T., I.M.T.C. help change the structure and function of the face, eyes, head and neck.
Biofeedback Exercises To Correct Synkinesis: This four phase program helps decrease or eliminate involuntary movements of the eyes, mouth, chin, and neck.
Synchronizer™ Therapy: This group of exercises facilitates support from natural reflexes called Syncronizers™. These techniques can help improve the health of facial muscle and all tissues of the face. A synchronizer is a reflex point with a specific purpose. For example, a muscle synchronizer would help normalize the function of facial muscles.
Exercises To Eliminate Soft Tissue Restrictions: These exercises are administered by the patient multiple times a day to improve flexibility of the face and facial symmetry.
The CenterIMT facial rehabilitation program incorporates the use of a unique electrical stimulation that works at a sub-contraction level. The patient does not feel the stimulus to the muscle and wears the stimulator while sleeping. This is the only electrical stimulation program developed specifically for facial muscles based on motor unit action potentials of healthy facial muscle. This exceptional technology was developed by Bob Targan PhD of the Bells Palsy Research Foundation. Read scientific research about this treatment published in the Journal of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at bellspalsy.com.
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Sharon Weiselfish-Giammatteo, Ph.D., P.T., I.M.T.C. |
Dr. Sharon Giammatteo is the developer of Integrative Manual Therapy for Facial Palsy, Integrative Manual Therapy ™, the Integrated Systems Approach ™, and Integrative Diagnostics ™. She is founder and President of CenterIMT and Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation (DCR).
Dr. Giammatteo graduated from Wingate Institute of Physiotherapy in Israel in 1970. She received her undergraduate degree in Advanced Health Sciences and Medicine and later earned her graduate degree in Clinical Neurosciences from University of Hartford in Connecticut. Dr. Giammatteo has done extensive clinical research in the field of neurology, with her Ph.D. thesis on manual and cranial therapies for the neurologic client.
Her list of publications includes articles on developmental manual therapy, manual and craniosacral therapy for cerebral palsy and more. Her books include: Manual Therapy for the Autonomic Nervous System and Related Disorders with Advanced Strain and Counterstrain Technique.
Dr. Giammatteo currently practices IMT in CenterIMT clinics across the country where she facilitates ongoing clinical research for the facial palsy, pain, and parasthesia population. She teaches throughout the United States, Canada, Asia, Europe, and Israel on topics such as: Manual Therapy for the Neurologic Patient, Cranial Therapy, and Neural Tissue Tension Techniques.
1. Introduction to Developmental Manual Therapy – An Integrated Systems Approach for Structural & Functional Rehabilitation.
Physical Therapy Forum. Week of February 12, 1990, by Sharon Weiselfish Ph.D., P.T. and Jay B. Kain M.S., P.T., ATC
2. Traumatic Brain Injury-Reassessing Predictors of Outcome for Patients with… Advanced for Physical Therapists. July 18, 1994, by Sharon Weiselfish Ph.D., P.T.
3. Sport Medicine and Manual Therapy. A look at the 90’s.
Physical Therapy Forum. August 21, 1989, by Sharon Weiselfish Ph.D., P.T. and Jay B. Kain M.S., P.T., ATC
4. An Overview of Erb’s Palsy with Case History Documenting Treatment with Manual and Craniosacral Therapy
Physical Therapy Forum. March 26, 1990, by Sharon Weiselfish Ph.D., P.T.
5. Integrated Manual Therapy Protocol for Treatment of Idiopathic Scoliosis: A New Concept.
Advance for Physical Therapists. December 7, 1992, by Jay B. Kain M.S., P.T., ATC and Sharon Weiselfish Ph.D., P.T
6. Erb’s Palsy: Once Considered Incurable, Now helped with NDT, Craniosacral and Manual Therapy
Advance for Physical Therapists. May 27, 1991, by Michelle P.Pronsati (Sharon Weiselfish)
7. Craniosacral Therapy debated
Advanced for Physical Therapists. October 28, 1991, by Sharon Weiselfish Ph.D., P.T.
8. A Clinical Approach to the Treatment of Chronic Pain.
Physical Therapy Forum. June 26, 1985, by Sharon Weiselfish Ph.D., P.T.
9. Gross Postural Balance and Articular Balance
Physical Therapy Forum. August 20, 1990, by Jay B. Kain MS, PT, ATC and Sharon Weiselfish Ph.D. PT
10. Shannon-A Pictorial Case History
Presenting Cranial Therapy for Cerebral Palsy Physical Therapy Forum. June 5, 1989, by Sharon Weiselfish Ph.D. PT
11. Manual Lymph Drainage: A Total Body Approach
Physical Therapy Forum. Novemner 25, 1987, by Sharon Weiselfish Ph.D. PT
12. TOS-An Introduction to the Evaluation and Treatment of ComplexNeuromasculoskeletal Dysfunction with Manual & Craniosacral Therapy: Part 1
Physical Therapy Forum. June 21, 1991, by Sharon Weiselfish, Ph.D. PT
13. A Relationship Between Headaches and Low Back Pain and Dysfunction
Physical Therapy Forum. March 25, 1994, by Sharon Weiselfish Ph.D. PT
14. Manual Lymph Drainage-For Treatment of Soft Tissue Pain and Swelling
RPT Brochure
15. Pediatric Neuro Rehabilitation with Developmental Manual Therapy for Structuraland Functional Rehabilitation-Erb’s Palsy
RPT Brochures
16. Developmental Manual Therapy for Physical Rehabilitation for the Neurologic Patient (Volumes I and II)
The Union Institute 1998, by Sharon Weiselfish Ph.D. PT
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Kris Albrecht MS, RPT, I.M.T, C. |
Kris Albrecht MS, RPT, IMT,C, received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from the State University of New York at Albany. She received her Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Boston University with a focus in Podiatry and Orthotic Fabrication. She was a Teaching Fellow in Gross Anatomy as well, instructing graduate and undergraduate students. Following her university studies, Kris worked for four years in an acute-care setting which included developing and implementing outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation and Orthotic Management programs.
In 1988, Kris joined Regional Physical Therapy (now CenterIMT Bloomfield, CT). Soon after, she began teaching courses nationally and internationally in Integrative Manual Therapy. Kris is Director of The Cranial Company, dedicated to the art and science of clinical education and treatment of cranial dysfunction. She is Department Head of the Cardiac Habilitation and Cranial Departments for the Connecticut School of Integrative Manual Therapy. At CenterIMT, she is the Director of Total Quality Management for Patient Care Results, ensuring each patient acheives their goals and has access to the best care available. Currently, Kris teaches IMT courses nationally and internationally for Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation (DCR).
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Sue Leger, D.Sc., PT, I.M.T., C. |
Sue Leger is the General Manager of CenterIMT Atlanta and Sue is also the Southeast Regional Manager for CenterIMT, USA, the Director of Neurologic Services for CenterIMT, Worldwide. She is teaching faculty f for the Connecticut School of Integrative Manual Therapy (CSIMT), and an instructor for Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation where she teaches nationally and internationally.
Sue received her Bachelors of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Florida in 1979. She then continued on to receive a Masters Degree in Exercise Physiology from Louisiana State University. Currently, Sue is finishing a Doctorate Program for Integrative Manual Therapy and Diagnostics at Westbrook University. She has received in-depth Neurodevelopmental training, as well as training in a wide range of other therapeutic models such as Acupressure, Cranial Therapies, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Mobilization, Proprioceptive Neuromotor Facilitation, and Sensory Integration.. Sue has an expertise in Integrative Manual Therapy for use on all patient populations.
Sue has taught over 170 post graduate level workshops on assessment, handling and movement, lower extremity biomechanics, gait, and the fabrication and function of lower extremity casting, splinting, and orthotic design throughout the U.S. and in 5 other countries. She also teaches the full spectrum of IMT courses available, from entry level to the most advanced. She has been a speaker at numerous state, regional, and national conferences.
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Jim Sullivan, O.T.R/L, I.M.T., C. |
Jim Sullivan is the Director of Facial Rehabilitation for CenterIMT Clinics, Director of the Facial Paralysis Center of Asheville, NC, Director of Occupational Therapy for CenterIMT, and Director of Hand Therapy for CenterIMT.
Jim earned his B.S. in Health Care Administration from Stonehill College and his Masters in Occupational Therapy from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is certified in Integrative Manual Therapy from the Connecticut School of Integrative Manual Therapy. Jim has years of experience in providing both structural and occupation-based therapies for people with facial paralysis, brain injury, spinal cord injury and stroke. He continually pursues training in visual rehabilitation for neurological and low vision clients, combining structural and functional vision therapy. Jim also specializes in upper extremity, thoracic inlet/outlet, and hand therapy treatments using Integrative Manual Therapy™. He has been practicing Integrative Manual Therapy since 1997.
Clinician Training in Integrative Manual Therapy for Facial Paralysis
Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation (DCR) is the learning, resource, and research center of Integrative Manual Therapy™. DCR offers four levels of expert training in facial rehabilitation. CenterIMT Facial Paralysis Centers employ physical and occupational therapists certified in Integrative Manual Therapy™. These clinicians provide patient care and conduct ongoing research in facial rehabilitation.
What Are Patient’s Saying About CenterIMT Facial Rehabilitation Programs?
Words from a patient with facial paralysis related to acoustic neurom:
I was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma (a tumor in the cranial nerves at the base of the skull) in the spring of 2002. After the surgery to remove the tumor, I learned that I was deaf in my left ear and that my vestibular nerve (balance) on the left side was destroyed. I was devastated to learn that although my facial nerve had been left intact, it had been damaged during the removal of the tumor. I could no longer move the left side of my face. I couldn’t blink or close my eye, produce tears, raise my eyebrow, or smile. The basic functions of hearing, eating, drinking, and even breathing through my left nostril had suddenly become challenging. The doctors assured me that my facial function would return. I just needed to be patient.
For a year and a half I watched in vain for signs of progress. My doctor kept promising that improvement was right around the corner. But as the months crawled by, I could see that nothing had changed in my face. Finally, my surgeon referred me to the Facial Paralysis Center in Asheville, North Carolina. For me, the center was a lifeline. After a thorough evaluation my therapist developed a treatment plan which included exercise, manual therapy, electrical stimulation, and ongoing evaluation to monitor progress. He used drawings of the muscles and nerves in my face to show me what we were attempting to do through the therapy. He taught me exercises and techniques to use at home to support the therapy he was providing and to keep my muscles stretched and stimulated.
Gradually I began to realize that I was indeed making progress. The left side of my face regained tone and began to lose its droop. I could whistle again (not my number one priority, but an audible sign of progress!). My eye closure improved. Then after 14 months of therapy, I noticed a movement under my eye. A few days later, the muscle under my eye began contracting when I tried to smile. Next I noticed my lip moving at the corner when I tried to smile. As this movement strengthened, I saw a flutter in the muscle that pulls up the corner of my mouth. For the last three weeks I have been seeing improvements almost daily. I have renewed hope that I will one day be able to smile again. I know that I still have a lot of work and therapy ahead of me. I am so grateful that I have the help and support of the people at the Facial Paralysis Center as I continue to heal.
Words form a patient with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome:
In June 2001, as I was driving my car and stopped for a red light, I closed my eyes momentarily and knew something terrible had just happened to me. I realized that one eye would not close. I soon discovered that I had Bell’s palsy as a result of Herpes Zoster, an ear infection. Ultimately, I had planned to leave on a trip the next day, and after confirming my situation at the hospital emergency room, I left on my trip the next day anyway. Upon my return, I went to an ear specialist who said that the delay in starting medication created doubts about having a complete recovery. I began seeing a neurologist who was not able to do anything for me. I spoke to friends in the medical field who didn’t know anyone who could help me. I was stuck with a partial paralysis of my face, an eye that wouldn’t close, a droopy mouth, and without the ability to drink out of a cup without dribbling, and without the ability to move food around in my mouth without using my finger to help.
My eye was stitched closed for six weeks to protect it, and after a year had passed, I began seeing a neurologist who was highly recommended to me. It was my good fortune that he had heard of a group that specialized in facial paralysis, researched it, and I was able to locate CenterIMT and Peggy Emro, P.T., I.M.T.C. Director of the CenterIMT Facial Rehabilitation Programs in New York. I began my visits with Peggy which included the use of a stimulator used at home, treatments not always on my face, but included gentle gentle manipulation of other parts of my body (I was told that everything was connected) and I was given homework.
A year later I am pleased when friends tell me each time they see me that I look pretty normal and a look in the mirror verifies what they say. I can drink and eat normally, and the droopy mouth has straightened out considerably, and with the help of a little makeup, if I were to meet you, you might not guess what I looked like last year or that there is any problem now. I am indeed fortunate to have found Peggy and I am delighted with the progress I have made with her.
Sincerely, A.S. from New York
I have trigeminal neuralgia. The way that it manifested itself with me was a horrible, electric shock pain in one particular tooth. I, of course, went to the dentist right away. After several trips to the dentist and being told there was nothing wrong with my tooth, I went to a neurologist who told me what was going on.
When the trouble first started, my episodes would last 15 – 20 minutes. The pain was agony. Excruciating. There would be no trigger. Sometimes it would start while I was asleep. There was no rhyme or reason. About 2 1/2 years ago I had my last attack. It lasted an hour and a half. It happened in the middle of the night. All I could do was cry and pray.
During this time of my life I lived in constant fear of having an attack and the not knowing when it would start or stop was awful. When an attack started, tears would flow and there was nothing I could do. It was very disconcerting to family and friends when I would suddenly just start crying. I became a recluse.
My sister finally persuaded me to go to the Facial Paralysis Center of Asheville. On my first visit they treated me with kindness and wisdom and gave me a plan for what to do when I had an attack. Immediately, I was not as frightened as I had been.
After my first visit I had one more attack that lasted only a few minutes. I knew what to do to help myself. I haven’t had any attacks since then. I went to therapy several times after that visit and my face and jaw continually got more relaxed. I also get relief from other body discomforts too. I would have done anything to stop the pain. I think they really saved my life. I couldn’t have continued living that way.
Thank you,
MM, North Carolina
This physician writes to Julie Shishino, P.T., I.M.T.C., Director of the Facial Rehabilitation Program at CenterIMT Los Angeles
Dear Julie, I want to congratulate you and your rehabilitation center on the fine work that you have done with my patients who are recovering from facial paralysis. As you know, I have been dealing with patients with facial paralysis for the past nine years as a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. During my time at UCLA and Harvard Medical School, I have seen many patients who have not been able to obtain adequate rehabilitation from facial paralysis.
I feel that Integrative Manual Therapy has significantly improved the recovery of the patients with facial paralyisis, recovering from Bell’s palsy, acoustic neuroma resection, traumatic facial lacerations or tumor resection. The work that you have done has improved the facial symmetry as well as the ability to control the synkinesis. I truly believe that IMT works extremely well in conjunction with my current approach in treating patients with facial paralysis both in controlling and maintaining the facial nerve function and rehabilitation. I hope that more physicians will be able to utilize services at IMT and I would be more than happy to discuss your current rehabilitative therapies.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions . I look forward to working with you again in the near future.
Best regards,
Babak Azizzadeh, M.D.
Attending Surgeon, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery
David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA